***ACTION ALERT*** MARKETPLACE FAIRNESS ACT

Our friends at ICSC are asking their members and allied groups to weigh in on S. 336/H.R. 684, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2013. This bipartisan legislation provides the federal solution necessary to close the online sales tax loophole and level the playing field for all retailers. Please contact your Members of Congress and ask them to support this legislation today.

These measures are complimentary and will actually enhance the success that California has had in this area over the last two years. Millions of dollars in previously uncollected sales taxes have been collected, thereby relieving pressure on the General Fund for other “revenue raising” ideas.

In response to the tremendous amount of momentum that we have gained on this issue during the last couple of years, the opposition is starting to organize a campaign of misinformation about the legislation.

The current sales tax system favors online retailers over their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Local businesses deserve a fair chance to compete with online sellers, and only Congress has the ability to make that happen. The status quo results in the government picking winners and losers and doesn’t reflect 21st century retail – where retailers are selling through a variety of channels.

Click here to find out more information and to help move these bills forward.